4-10-01
VAN BUREN
EDUCATION
SUPPORT TEAM ASSOCIATION/MEA/NEA
V-BEST!
CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
We,
the Educational Support Team of the Van Buren Public Schools, believing that we
must institute our own self-government and secure proper recognition and responsibility
for the well-being of our members, adopt this constitution.
I. NAME
The name of this organization shall
be the Van Buren Educational Support Team Association, MEA/NEA, an affiliated
unit of the Michigan Education Association and the National Education
Association.
II. PURPOSE
Section 1. To secure and maintain the wages, fringe
benefits, retirement, sick leave, and other working conditions necessary for
members.
Section 2. To enable members to speak with a common
voice in matters pertaining to their interests and to present their common
interests before their employer and other legal authorities, as provided by
law.
Section 3. To encourage members to exercise their
rights and privileges as citizens, and to willingly accept leadership in civic
affairs.
III. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. All persons who meet the active membership
requirements of the Michigan Education Association may, upon payment of dues as
herein provided, become active members of this association with full rights and
privileges of membership.
Section 2. Active members of this association shall
also be members of the Michigan Education Association and the National
Education Association.
Section 3. No member shall be
censured, suspended, or expelled, without a due process hearing before the board of directors. An appeal may be made to the MEA board of reference.
Section 4. Persons who tender agency shop fees shall
have no rights or privileges within this association.
IV. OFFICERS AND
BOARDS
Section 1. OFFICERS.
The officers of the organization shall consist of a president, a vice
president, a secretary, a treasurer, three (3) trustees, and delegate(s) to the
MEA Representative Assembly. The trustees shall be elected elected on the basis
of one per one hundred (100) members or major fraction thereof but allowing
each of the following classifications at least one: Custodial/Maintenance;
Transportation; and, Paraprofessionals.
All terms shall be for two years.
Terms shall commence July 1.
Section 2. Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consist of
officers of the association.
Section 3. Representative Assembly. The Representative Assembly shall consist of
the Association Building
Representatives who shall be elected on the basis of one for each thirty
members or major fraction thereof, allowing at least one association
representative from each school
building and the maintenance garage, and
three from the Bus Driver/Bus Aides members; and, the Board of
Directors.
Section 4. Third World Representation. The ethnic representation shall be in
compliance with the constitutions and bylaws of the National Education
Association and the Michigan Education Association. In the event that the
ethnic representation is less than required by the constitutions and bylaws of
the MEA and NEA, rules and procedures shall be established for an at-large
election to ensure proportionate ethnic minority representation.
Section 5. Replacement
Any member of the Board of Directors
who is absent from three (3) regularly scheduled meetings of the Board without
prior notice to the president shall no longer be considered a member of the
Board and the position shall be declared vacant.
V. DIRECT
LEGISLATION
Section 1. Initiative And Referendum. The rights of popular initiative and
referendum shall rest with the active membership of the association. Upon receipt of a petition signed by
twenty-five percent (25%) of the active membership of the association, the
secretary shall announce a general meeting or ballot as indicated on the
petition. A majority affirmative vote
of the total active membership shall be required for its adoption, which shall
take effect thirty (30) calendar days later.
Section 2. Recall.
The right of recall shall rest with the electing body. Upon receipt of a petition signed by
twenty-five percent (25%) of the membership of the electing body, the secretary
shall announce a general meeting or ballot by the electing body as indicated on
the petition within fifteen (15) calendar days for the purposes presented in
the petition. A majority affirmative
vote of the total electing body (total membership) shall be required for its
adoption, which shall take effect thirty (30) calendar days later.
VI. MEMBERSHIP
AND FISCAL YEAR
The membership and fiscal years
shall be September 1 through August 31.
VII. AUTHORITY
Any part of this constitution and/or
bylaws which is in conflict with the MEA and/or NEA constitution and/or bylaws
shall be declared null and void.
VIII. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. AMENDMENTS.
Amendments to this constitution and/or bylaws may be proposed by
resolution of the board of directors or by a petition signed by twenty-five
percent (25%) of the total active membership and submitted to the secretary.
Upon receipt of a proposed amendment
to the constitution and/or bylaws, in accordance with the above, the board of
directors shall schedule a vote on the proposal. The vote shall be at a membership meeting or by mail ballot and
shall take place within sixty (60) calendar
days of introduction of the proposal.
A copy of the proposed amendment,
together with the recommendations of the board of directors shall be sent to
each member of the association at least fifteen (15) days prior to the vote.
Section 2. CONSTITUTION. A two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of the active membership
voting is required to adopt the proposed amendment which shall become effective
immediately upon adoption, unless otherwise provided.
Section 3. BYLAWS.
A majority affirmative vote of the active membership voting is required
to adopt the proposed amendment which shall become effective immediately upon
adoption, unless otherwise provided.
Amended May 2001
VAN BUREN
EDUCATIONAL
SUPPORT TEAM ASSOCIATION/ MEA/NEA
V-BEST !
BYLAWS
I. RULES
Robert's Rules of Order, Latest
Edition, shall be authority on all questions or procedures not specifically
stated in this constitution and bylaws.
II. MEETINGS
1. General
membership meetings shall be called by the president or board of directors as
needed; however, there shall be at least two (2) general membership meetings
each year. At least forty-eight (48)
hours notice is required, specifying date, time, place, and purpose of such
meetings.
2. The
board of directors shall meet at least eight times during the school year. Meetings shall be held on the second
Thursday of the month unless there is a need for change.
After
establishment of a calendar, the membership shall be notified of dates, times,
and places of meetings.
3. The representative assembly shall meet
on the second Thursday during the months of September and March, immediately
following the board of directors meeting. the RA may be called to meet more
frequently, as needed, by the president. At least twenty-four hours' notice
shall be given.
4.
Meeting shall be open
to all members and members shall be permitted to address meetings.
III. CONTRACT
RATIFICATION
1. Only
a proposed contract tentatively agreed to by the officially impaneled
bargaining team may be submitted to the membership for ratification vote.
2. A
majority vote by secret ballot of those members present and voting shall be
required for ratification.
3. Only
members in good standing may vote on ratification.
4. There
shall be at least a forty-eight (48) hour advance notice of the ratification
meeting.
5. Members
shall have a written copy of any proposed contract/changes at least forty-eight
(48) hours prior to the ratification meeting.
6. There
shall be a recommendation from the bargaining team and from the board of
directors.
7. There
shall be an opportunity for questions and answers.
8. Any
proposed changes/amendments during the term of the contract may be approved by
the board of directors.
IV. QUORUM
1. The
quorum for a general membership meeting shall be ten per cent (10%) of the
total active membership.
2. The
quorum for a board of directors meeting shall be two-thirds (2/3) of the
elected members.
3. The
quorum for a representative assembly meeting shall be a simple majority of the
elected members.
V. DUTIES OF
OFFICERS:
1. President: Preside over meetings, appoint members of
committees subject to approval of the board of directors, be an ex-officio
voting member of all committees except nominations and elections committee,
represent the association before the public, be executive officer of the
association, be the delegate to the MEA coordinating council and the Region 2
Council, and perform other functions attributed to this office. The president shall be the second signature
on all association checks.
2. Vice
President: Preside in the
president's absence and perform duties as assigned by the president.
3. Secretary: Keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the
association and board of directors and make them available to members, maintain
official files, and assist the president with association correspondence.
4. Treasurer: Deposit funds of the association and
disburse them according to decisions of the board of directors; maintain roll
of members; keep accurate accounts of receipts and expenditures; prepare a
written report of receipts and expenditures for each meeting of the
association, the board of directors and the representative assembly; remit
appropriate amounts of dues to MEA in a timely manner; prepare an annual
financial statement for membership. The
treasurer shall be bonded and the association shall provide for an annual audit
of the books.
5.
MEA
Representative Assembly Delegates: Keep association informed of actions by the
MEA and issues to be presented to the Representative Assembly, attend the MEA
Representative Assembly and other appropriate meetings and report back to the
association.
6.
NEA
Representative Assembly Delegates: keep association informed of actions by the NEA and issues
to be presented to the representative assembly, attend the NEA representative
assembly and other appropriate meetings and report back to the association.
7.
Region Council
Delegates: keep association
informed of action by the region council and issues to be presented to the
region council, attend the region council and other appropriate meetings and
report back to the association.
VI. POWERS OF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. Upon
the board of directors shall rest the duties, responsibilities and authority
for conduct of the association in all matters except as provided in this
constitution and bylaws.
2. The
board may, at any time, refer matters to the representative assembly or the
general membership for consideration.
VII. POWERS
OF THE REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
1. Duties
of the Association Building Representatives shall be to attend regular meetings
of the representative assembly; provide communication between members and the
governing bodies of the association; assist members in identifying grievances;
and, approve the annual budget and dues recommended by the board of directors.
2. Term
of office shall be for two (2) years and commence in the month of September
immediately following elections scheduled during the 2nd week of
September.
3. Association
representatives shall be elected within two weeks following the election of
officers.
4. Vacancy in the position of association
representative shall be filled by vote of the members in that building or work
site. If no one is elected within
thirty calendar days the president shall appoint the association
representative, subject to a vote of concurrence by the board of directors,
until an association representative shall be elected from that building.
VIII. NOMINATIONS
AND ELECTIONS
1. The
president shall appoint an elections committee which shall establish election
procedures which guarantee that all elections shall provide for open
nominations, secret ballot voting procedures and preservation of ballots for at
least one (1) year.
2. The
board of directors shall certify the elections committee report and publish
results of the election. Official
reports of elections must be filed with MEA and the 2E Coordinating Council for
MEA Representative Assembly delegates within ten (10) days after the election
or local officers within ten (10) days after the election.
3. Election
of officers shall be conducted in the month of May of each election year.
4.
All officers plus NEA
delegates must be elected at-large by the membership.
5.
Delegates to the MEA
and/or the NEA Representative Assembly may be recalled for just cause.
6.
Every active member
in good standing shall have the opportunity to vote. All elections shall take
place following the one member/one vote principle.
7.
When there are three
(3) or more MEA Representative Assembly Delegates elected, a third world
representative shall be elected as required by the MEA constitution and bylaws.
IX. VACANCIES
1. Vacancies
in one of the positions of the board of directors shall be filled by
appointment of the president, with a vote of concurrence by the board of
directors, until the next general election, except vacancy in the office of
president and/or MEA representative assembly delegate. The president shall always be elected by a
vote of the membership. MEA
representative assembly delegates shall be replaced by the duly elected
alternate.
X. BARGAINING TEAM
1. A
bargaining team shall be selected in accordance with the following procedures
at least four (4) months prior to the expiration of each collective bargaining
agreement and shall serve until ratification of a new agreement is completed.
2. The
bargaining team shall consist of (5)
members, including the president, a bargaining committee chair and not less
than one (1) representative from the Paraprofessional,
the Transportation, and the
Custodial/Maintenance classifications.
3. The
president shall recommend the bargaining team with one of its members as a
chairperson, subject to approval by the board of directors.
4. Bargaining
team vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the president, subject to
approval by the board of directors.
XI. GRIEVANCE
REPRESENTATIVES
1. The president shall recommend three (3)
grievance representatives, one chosen from each of the three classifications,
subject to the approval of the board of directors. The grievance
representatives shall work with and assist association representatives in
identifying and processing grievances at the initial steps.
2. The
board of directors shall be responsible for screening, investigating and
recommending action relative to the processing of bargaining unit grievances to
arbitration.
XII. MEMBERSHIP
COMMITTEE
1. The president shall appoint a
membership committee of three members, one from each classification.
2. The
membership committee shall work with the treasurer in accounting for membership
and appropriate level of dues; and,
welcome new members and assist them in completing membership application forms.
XIII. DUES
1. Dues
of the association shall consist of the total amount of local, MEA, and NEA
dues.
2. Local
dues shall be established by a vote of the general membership at one of its
meetings.
3. Special
assessments may be levied by a vote of the general membership.
4. MEA
and NEA dues shall be transmitted to MEA forthwith upon receipt and in
accordance with any applicable provisions of the MEA or NEA bylaws and
administrative policies.
Amended May 2001
VAN BUREN
EDUCATIONAL
SUPPORT TEAM ASSOCIATION, MEA/NEA
(V-BEST ASSN.)
ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES
1. DUTIES OF THE TREASURER
The treasurer shall:
a. keep
all financial accounts of the association
b. maintain
membership records
c. collect
dues and assessments
d. deposit
all association funds in a bank approved by the board of directors
e. provide
for an annual audit of books and records
f. keep
appropriate records
g. file
required state or other reports and forms
2. DISBURSEMENT
OF FUNDS
All disbursements of association funds shall be made by
check signed by both the treasurer and the president.
3. REIMBURSEMENT OF OFFICERS
Officers shall be reimbursed for expenses associated with
their respective office in amounts not exceeding those listed in the annual
budget.
The treasurer shall annually present a budget recommendation
for consideration of the board of directors who shall then recommend it for the
approval of the representative assembly.
4. FLOWER FUND
There shall be a flower fund from which $40 may be disbursed
for a death in the immediate family of a member (spouse, father, mother,
brother, sister, son, daughter) or, for the serious illness of a member (only).
5. RETIRED MEMBERS
Retired members shall have the right to attend meetings and
participate in deliberations, but shall not be entitled to vote and shall not
be eligible to hold office or serve the local in any elected capacity.
Adopted
May 2001
VAN BUREN
EDUCATION
SUPPORT TEAM ASSOCIATION/MEA/NEA
NOMINATION/ELECTION
PROCEDURES
The Nomination/Elections Committee should use the following guidelines
in establishing the specific procedures, and then provide a printed copy of the
procedures, including the place and time at which ballots are to be counted, to
all members.
1.
In March, the President shall appoint and the
Executive Board shall approve a Nominating/Elections Committee of at least 3
members.
2.
By April 1, the Committee shall distribute to
the membership a flyer listing the positions to be filled by election; the date
of the election; and, the date nominating forms are due.
Nominating forms shall include a space
for the candidate’s name, position sought, date, and signature of candidate.
NOTE: The nominating form shall provide that a member may nominate him/herself.
3.
April 21. Nominating forms are due to the
Committee. Where there is no candidate for a vacant position, the Committee
shall actively seek candidates.
4.
By May 15. Nominations close.
5.
The
election shall occur on a day/date specified by the Elections Committee during the last 2 weeks of May.
6.
Balloting procedures:
Absentee ballots shall be made
available not more than 3 workdays in advance of balloting and, the workday
following the day of balloting.
7.
If
there are absentee ballots to be cast, the Elections Committee shall keep the
ballot box unopened until such absentee ballots have been cast.
8.
There
shall be no fewer than 3 members of the Committee present during the counting
of ballots. Other members may be present to observe the counting.
9.
Election
results shall be reported to the next Executive Board meeting for its approval.
Ballots
shall be preserved for at least one year.
10.
Election of Assn. Building Reps shall take place during the 2nd week
of September.
VAN BUREN
EDUCATION
SUPPORT TEAM ASSOCIATION/MEA/NEA
NOMINATION FORM
I WISH TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR THE FOLLOWING OFFICE:
(Place
an X on the appropriate line.))
___ President
___ Vice-President
___Treasurer
___Secretary
___3 Trustees (1 from Custodial/Maintenance; 1 from
Paraprofessionals; 1 from Transportation)
___2 MEA
Representative Assembly delegates
___2 MEA
Representative Assembly alternates
Your Signature: _____________________________________
Date: ___________________________________
Please forward this form to the Elections Committee
Chair, ___________________,
no later than _________________.
date
VAN BUREN
EDUCATION SUPPORT TEAM
ASSOCIATION/MEA/NEA
(V-BEST)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING (or
ASSN. REPS)
DATE
TIME (beginning &
ending times)
PLACE
AGENDA
1. Call
to Order
2. Approval of Agenda
3. Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting (printed minutes)
4. Reports